“I didn’t do anything to you,” I said quietly.
My mother rushed forward again, grabbing my arm.
“Fix this!” she hissed through her teeth. “You always ruin everything the moment you come back!”
I looked at her hand on my arm.
Then at her face.
Still no concern for Mia.
Still no question about why her granddaughter was in pain.
Only rage.
Only embarrassment.
Only the mansion.
I gently removed her hand.
“I’m taking my daughter to the hospital.”
“You selfish—”
I didn’t wait for the rest.
I walked out.
The emergency room lights were too bright.
Too clean.
Too quiet after what we had just left behind.
A doctor examined Mia within minutes.
“She’s going to be okay,” he said finally. “Bruised ribs. No internal damage.”
My knees nearly gave out in relief.
Mia lay on the bed, half-asleep, her tiny fingers wrapped around mine.
“Mom… are we still going home?”
That question hit harder than anything Sarah had done.
I smoothed her hair.
“Yes,” I whispered. “But not there.”
My phone rang.
Unknown number.
I almost ignored it.
Then I answered.
“Elena Vance.”
A different voice this time.
Lower.
Older.
Controlled.
“Ms. Vance. This is Judge Harrington’s office.”
My stomach tightened.
“I wasn’t expecting a call from the court.”
“You’re expected in a hearing tomorrow morning.”
I frowned.
“For what?”
There was a pause.
Then—
“Your sister has filed an emergency petition.”
My grip tightened on the phone.
“What kind of petition?”
“She is claiming fraud in the transfer of the Vance Mansion.”
I closed my eyes.
Of course she had.
“She’s claiming,” the voice continued, “that you coerced elderly trustees, manipulated financial records, and unlawfully transferred ownership without family consent.”
A humorless breath left my chest.
“She didn’t sign a single document in her life,” I said quietly.
“I understand,” the clerk replied. “But she has gathered testimony from multiple guests at tonight’s event.”
I almost laughed.
“Guests who just watched her kick a child?”
A pause.
“That matter is also being reviewed.”
I looked at Mia.
Sleeping now.
Finally safe.
“Fine,” I said.
“I’ll be there.”
